The wedding do-not-play list, and what to play instead.
Keep your list to five to ten songs. I swap the overplayed ones for songs that work better.
Key takeaways
- Name five to ten songs, with the artist. A longer list removes useful floor-fillers.
- Send a must-play list too, so I know what you love.
- Your bans beat guest requests, and you can change your mind on the night.
On this page
How to build your list
Your list sets the limits. After eight years of DJing, I use it to protect the moments that matter. I do not use it to guess your whole taste.
- Cover the two real categories
Songs tied to an ex, a funeral or a memory you do not want, and the clichés you cannot stand. Everything else is a preference.
- Cap it at five to ten
Past ten, every song you add costs me a tool for saving a slow floor. If your list is long, write a must-play list instead.
- Name the song and the artist
No Wagon Wheel is a clear line. No country kills half my swaps.
- Flag the landmines
If a song will upset a parent or an ex is on the guest list, tell me plainly. Then I steer around the moment.
Send the lists about three months out. Book the DJ, build the timeline, then send your must-plays, your do-not-plays and your first dance and parent dance choices together. Then I see what you love, what is off limits and which moments must be perfect.
Overplayed songs and what I play instead
If Sweet Caroline matters to your dad, keep it. These are starting points, not rules.
Swaps for a younger or mixed crowd
| Overplayed song | Artist | Play instead | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cha Cha Slide | DJ Casper | Wobble by V.I.C. | The same line dance feel, without the called out steps. |
| Macarena | Los del Rio | Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony | A salsa rhythm and a big hook. A Latin moment that replaces the familiar 90s novelty dance. |
| The Chicken Dance | Werner Thomas | Conga by Gloria Estefan | A conga line brings kids and grandparents together. |
| Sweet Caroline | Neil Diamond | Mr. Brightside by The Killers | A singalong for a younger crowd late at night. |
| Don't Stop Believin' | Journey | Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi | Another big rock anthem for when you want a different singalong. |
| Wagon Wheel | Darius Rucker | Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton | A slower country song that brings couples together. |
| Shape of You | Ed Sheeran | Can't Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake | A pop bounce that works for a mixed age room. |
| Uptown Funk | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | 24K Magic by Bruno Mars | Another Bruno Mars funk track, for when Uptown Funk feels worn out after a decade of weddings, ads and gym classes. |
My take. A swap is a nudge, not a rule. If your crowd loves the original, play it.
Swaps for an older crowd
| Overplayed song | Artist | Play instead | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cupid Shuffle | Cupid | Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly & Maze | A soulful group dance. I reach for it with mixed ages and older guests. |
| YMCA | Village People | September by Earth, Wind & Fire | The disco hook is familiar, and it gets an all ages dance going. |
| We Are Family | Sister Sledge | Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | A warmer build for the family sentiment. |
| Shout | The Isley Brothers | Twist and Shout by The Beatles | The call and response hook works for guests over forty, with the low then jump up moment. |
My take. These still get grandparents and kids on the same floor.
When a guest asks for a song
Your list beats a request. Here is what I do.
| If this happens | What I do |
|---|---|
| A banned song | I decline, no matter who asks. Even an uncle at 11pm. |
| A request that fits | I play it soon when it suits the floor. Guests often respond to their own picks. |
| A request that would clear the floor | I acknowledge it and filter it, including niche tracks at peak time. |
| A guest's phone | I decline the connection. A guest playlist can undo an hour of building the set. |
| You change your mind | I honour it right away. If you ask for Cha Cha Slide after all, I put it on next. |
With a hundred guests over four hours, I leave room to adjust. The Cha Cha Slide at 10:40pm can save a thinning floor, if you have not banned it.
What couples say
He understood exactly the vibe we wanted, and he had everyone on the dance floor all night.
He met with us beforehand, arrived early, and ran the night flawlessly: ceremony, timing, and his MC intros all perfectly placed.
Do-not-play FAQ
Building your list
What is a wedding do-not-play list?
A short list of songs you do not want played, no matter who asks. It covers two things: songs tied to an ex or a bad memory, and reception songs you are tired of hearing. Five to ten songs usually covers it. A focused list protects those moments and leaves me room to read the floor.
How long should a do-not-play list be?
Five to ten songs: an ex's song, a genre that upsets a family member, or reception favourites you dislike. Past fifteen or twenty tracks, the list removes useful floor-fillers and leaves me guessing. Pair it with a must-play list so I understand your taste.
What are the most overplayed wedding songs?
Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, YMCA, the Macarena, the Chicken Dance, Sweet Caroline, Don't Stop Believin' and Shout come up the most. They became overplayed because they bring people onto the floor. I do not ban them by default. I use your preferences to decide when to play one or swap it.
Should I ban the Cha Cha Slide and the Macarena?
Only if you hate them. These group dances bring grandparents, kids and guests who rarely dance together, because everyone knows the steps. I can pick a fresher song with similar group energy. Tell me how you feel, so I can decide where they fit when the floor slows.
Can I ban all the usual line dances without flopping the floor?
Yes. I can use Wobble instead of Cha Cha Slide and September instead of YMCA for the same familiar group energy. Tell me which line dances you want left out, and I will plan the swaps so the floor keeps moving when the energy dips.
Requests and family
How does a good wedding DJ handle guest requests?
I take requests and weigh them against your must-play list, your do-not-play list and the floor. I play the ones that fit and quietly filter the ones that would clear it. Your banned songs stay off. Guests send requests to me and do not connect their phones.
What if a guest begs for a song we banned?
I politely explain that you chose the playlist and move on. If the room really wants the song and you are enjoying the moment, I may give you a quick nod to ask for your final say. I need your approval before I change a ban.
Our parents love the overplayed stuff. How do we balance that?
I keep the songs that matter to your family. If your mom tears up at We Are Family, I can give it a moment in the reception. Tell me which familiar songs carry that meaning, and I place them where they land best, not at random.
Keep reading
Send me the songs you want left out.
I review your bans alongside your must-plays before the day.